EFFECT OF 8-WEEK REBOUNDING EXERCISE PROGRAMME ON DYNAMIC BALANCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS — A PILOT RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY

Background & Objective: 

Ageing is associated with progressive decline in balance, increasing fall risk. Rebounding exercise is a novel, multisensory intervention with limited geriatric evidence. This study evaluated the effect of an 8-week rebounding programme on dynamic balance and quality of life (QoL) in older adults versus conventional balance training.

Methods:

Of 76 individuals screened, 61 eligible older adults (≥55 years; convenience-sampled from a hospital outpatient setting and local community) were randomly allocated to an intervention group (mini-trampoline rebounding, n=36) or control group (conventional progressive balance training, n=25), matched for frequency/duration over 8 weeks. Dynamic balance (BOOMER, CB&M) and QoL (SF-12) were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. The intervention comprised supervised 30-minute sessions, 3 days/week for 8 weeks, progressing from supported standing, weight shifts, and heel-to-toe/heel-raise drills (weeks 1–6) to bouncing with cognitive dual-tasking (weeks 7–8). The control group followed a matched-duration conventional programme progressing through static stance, single-leg standing, perturbation training, and dual-task walking.

Results: 

Six intervention-arm participants withdrew (personal/logistic reasons; no adverse events); 55 completed (30 intervention, 25 control), with comparable baseline age (p=0.544). BOOMER improved significantly in both groups, with significantly greater gains in the intervention group (between-group difference 1.57, 95% CI 1.12–2.03, t(53)=6.90, p<0.0001). CB&M showed a similar pattern (between-group difference 6.83, 95% CI 2.94–10.72, t(53)=3.52, p<0.001). SF-12 improved significantly within both groups, with no significant between-group difference (t(51)=0.75, p=0.456).

Conclusion & Implications: 

An 8-week rebounding programme produced significantly greater improvements in dynamic balance and functional mobility than conventional training, with comparable QoL gains. Given the pilot design and convenience sample, findings warrant confirmation in an adequately powered, multi-site trial; rebounding exercise nonetheless appears safe, feasible, and effective for geriatric fall-prevention programmes.